Local Leads: Skins Game Day, New Cabbie Rules

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The following stories have been hand-selected by the Assignment Desk at News4:

OFFICER KILLED ALLEGEDLY OVER PARKING SPACE(BALTIMORE SUN)
"An off-duty Baltimore police detective, taking part in the Canton nightlife on the eve of his birthday Saturday, was killed after being struck in the head after an argument, police said. He would have turned 38 today. Brian Stevenson, an 18-year veteran, was pronounced dead at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center not long after he was attacked in the 2800 block of Hudson St. at about 10 p.m. Acting on witness descriptions, police located several suspects and expect to charge them. Police Commissioner Frederick H. Bealefeld III told reporters outside the hospital that the argument was "incredibly petty." "It's an incredible tragedy for the family, for all of us," said Bealefeld, who spoke with Stevenson's family members along with Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake. "The city's losing … we're losing a fantastic detective who works to make people safe in this city. It's just senseless.""

NEW RULES FOR ALEXANDRIA CABBIES(ALEXANDRIA TIMES)
"Alexandria's taxi industry has a slew of new rules to work with, but a controversial proposal to the city's taxi cab ordinance regulating driver behavior isn't one of them. After nearly four hours of heated debate marked by taxi cab companies – and drivers – accusing one another of subverting existing rules, city council voted 6-1 in favor of most recommended reforms to the existing industry regulations. Councilwoman Alicia Hughes cast the lone dissenting vote. Among the changes, drivers still must take two dispatched calls per day, but can count in-city pickups from taxi stands and metro stations, regular clients and trips from the airport with an Alexandria destination toward a portion of the daily requirement. In another shift, drivers now face civil fines rather than suspension from work if a complaint is filed against them and upheld by city officials."

THE BAREFOOT PROFESSOR(NEWSADVANCE.COM)
"Daniel Howell walks barefoot across the cement floor of Dickey’s Barbecue Pit, past the condiment stand and public restrooms, to join his family in a booth. Today his bare feet attract little attention, but he’s used to confrontation. He keeps a letter in his car from the Virginia state health department explaining that it’s not a health code violation for patrons to go barefoot in restaurants.
Howell, a biology professor at Liberty University, goes barefoot whenever he can. For the past two years, he’s been on a crusade to challenge America’s cultural addiction to shoes and to raise awareness of the benefits of barefoot.
“We live in a shoe-obsessed society,” Howell said. “To our detriment.”"

DC EARLY VOTING STARTS(DC EXAMINER)"Voters in Washington will be able to cast their ballots early for the Nov. 2 general election. Early voting begins Monday in the city. Voters can cast their ballots at the headquarters of the D.C. Board of Elections & Ethics from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Beginning on Saturday, Oct. 23, four other early voting centers will open. Voters will get to select a new mayor and a new chairman and members of the D.C. Council, among other offices."

RUSS GRIMM HONORED AT SKINS GAME(WTOP)
"The Washington Redskins will honor Russ Grim, who was entered into the NFL Hall of Fame this year, during an on-field ceremony during the Colts-Redskins game tonight. The ceremony will be part of the festivities for team's first annual Homecoming Game. Grimm will receive his Hall of Fame ring during the ceremony. Grimm played for the Redskins for 11 seasons, and was part of the legendary "Hogs" offensive line. More than 50 alumni members of the team will be honored at a pre-game event on the field."